Gantry Crane for Intermodal Handling Arriving in Kiel

The new rubber-tyred gantry crane (RTG) for the intermodal terminal at the Ostufer- hafen has arrived in Kiel. Where the rail/ship handling was done by Reach Stackers, the gantry crane will take over and load the rail wagons in future. The crane manufactured in Poland arrived in Kiel with the heavy duty vessel “Meri” in the afternoon of April 15. The crane was unloaded through self-driving via the ro-ro ramp at Berth No. 7 of Ostuferhafen.

Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director at PORT OF KIEL (SEE- HAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG): “We are investing into the hinterland rail connection. It is our aim to fur- ther increase the share of rail transport in the port’s modal split”. In the coming weeks, the RTG will be tested and receive its final finishing. It is intended to be put into service on Mai 31. Dirk Claus: “Through the new gantry crane’s high loading speed, the efficiency of the intermodal terminal in Ostuferhafen is strongly increased once again. The transport chain rail/ship is further strengthened in its competitive position”.

The new portal frame, a so-called rubber-tyred gantry crane (RTG) is 30 m wide and can span three rail tracks as well as the corresponding loading lanes. The lift height under spreader amounts to sound 12 m, the total height of the gantry crane adds up to approx. 21 m. The RTG can hoist trailers, containers, swap bodies and the like and comes with a lifting power of up to 45 tons. Moving the crane alongside the rail tracks is supported by GPS. The device is an investment of 1.5 m Euro and has been subsidised with federal funds in line with the Directive for Subsidising Handling Facilities in Intermodal Transport. The improved efficiency of the intermodal terminal stands in direct relation to further investments at Ostuferhafen. Hence, a new gate and the Yard-IT have already been put into operation.

The extension of Berth No. 1 and the construc- tion of a fourth warehouse have started. Next year, the expansion of the port area is also going to be com- pleted. Dirk Claus: “The growing ferry business with Russia and the Baltic States is concentrated in Ostufer- hafen. Through our comprehensive investments we offer our customers best development opportunities in Kiel”.

The intermodal transport rail/ship is gaining more and more importance in Kiel. Last year, more than 20,000 consignments were loaded or unloaded in intermodal rail cargo alone. In addition, well over 2,500 containers were forwarded on block trains from Kiel to the overseas terminals in Hamburg. Through the daily shuttle train from and to Hamburg-Billwerder, Kiel is linked with all national and many international destinations of intermodal transport. 

Furthermore, complete block trains have operated twice weekly be- tween Kiel and Verona in northern Italy since last autumn. In line with the increasing amount of cargo to be handled at the Port of Kiel, the volume of intermodal transport is also growing. The first quarter 2013 saw 20 % more consignments for intermodal rail transport in Ostuferhafen and Schwedenkai. Dirk Claus: “If this positive trend continues, a direct link into the Ruhr Area can follow very soon.”